Ownership of a Submarine Cable-Laying Vessel, NEC’s Serious Intent　海底ケーブル敷設船保有、NECの本気度

Will it be Linked to a Japanese-Style Integrated Model Spanning Shipping and Infrastructure?

海運とインフラ産業、日本型の統合モデルに結び付くか

NEC has made clear its intention to own a submarine cable-laying vessel in-house. In its Integrated Report 2025, the company positions the submarine cable systems business as part of the social infrastructure segment, particularly as a critical component of the Aerospace and National Security (ANS) domain, and designates it as an important strategic business field.

Key points of this article

→ Until now, NEC has not owned a cable-laying vessel and has instead utilised chartered vessels on a project-by-project basis. Going forward, however, it is seriously considering securing vessels, including through mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

→ As NEC examines the ownership of cable-laying vessels, there is potential for Japan’s shipping industry to leverage its accumulated experience in operation and maintenance management, creating a Japanese-style integrated model that could become deeply intertwined with industrial policy.

“You can read the rest of the article in both English and Japanese.”

Photo courtesy by NEC

海底ケーブル敷設船保有、NECの本気度

海運とインフラ産業、日本型の統合モデルに結び付くか

　NECが海底ケーブル敷設船を自社で保有する意向を明確にしている。同社は2025年統合レポート（Integrated Report 2025）で、海底ケーブル事業（submarine cable systems）を社会インフラセグメント、特に航空宇宙・国家安全保障（ANS）ドメインの重要な構成要素とし、重要な事業戦略分野とした。

この記事のポイント

→これまでNECは敷設船を保有せず、プロジェクトごとにチャーター船を活用してきたが、今後はM&A（合併・買収）も含め、船の確保を本格的に検討している。

→NECがケーブル敷設船の保有を検討する中、日本の海運業界も運航、保守管理で積み重ねた経験を生かすことで、日本型の統合モデル、産業政策に深く結びつく可能性がある。

“You can read the rest of the article in both English and Japanese.”（続きは英語と日本語で書かれた本文でお読みください）